HPCA seeks ouster of CM's private secretary, OSDs

With the row between the state government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) intensifying, the latter filed a complaint with the Election Commission seeking removal of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s principal private secretary, Subhash Ahluwalia, and officers on special duty TG Negi and Trilok Janartha.

With the row between the state government and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) intensifying, the latter filed a complaint with the Election Commission seeking removal of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s principal private secretary, Subhash Ahluwalia, and officers on special duty TG Negi and Trilok Janartha.

Though the three had retired earlier from government service all of them were appointed to key posts after the Congress party regained power in the state in 2012.

In a letter written to the Himachal Pradesh chief electoral officer, the cricket body alleged the three officials were promoting the CM’s personal agenda doing his bidding to malign HPCA chief Anurag Thakur, who running for the Hamripur parliamentary constituency in the upcoming polls.

“They are seeking punitive action against HPCA functionaries with a view to gain political mileage and show the cricket body in a poor light,” the HPCA claimed. It added the three officials were acting in an “arbitrary” manner to help Virbhadra’s wife, Pratibha Singh, who is contesting the polls elections from Mandi.

The cricket body has sought an inquiry into the functioning of the three officials and their immediate suspension. A copy of the complaint has been sent to the Election Commission.